Fishing Report For Lake Thompson, SD

Current Report: Good

WINTER. This Winter, fishing for walleye has been pretty good, as it has been for the last few years. Currently, anglers report catching them in the main basin area, in 12 to 20 feet of water, along deep creek channel edges, rocky humps and ledges. Steep drops in the area toward the dam, as well as ledges along the channel in the southern narrows, are also producing during these cold months. These same areas and depths are classic spots during the upcoming ics fishing season. They primarily feed on small fish, staying close to the bottom. After ice-out blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners, all work while deep trolling or drifting.

SPRING. Early Spring brings warming water in the shallows, and draws walleye here to feed, especially rocky areas and inlet channels. In Spring, work points, drop offs, submerged structure, rock ledges, flats and flats adjacent to deeper water. Fishing is historically good in the protected bays on the northeast sector of the lake, toward De Smet. Here, in 4 to 10 feet deep, they will spawn once the water warms to the mid to high 40's. When they move shallow, bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers typically catch them. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are also working when walleye are up shallow. Afterwards, they move to 8 to 15 feet deep around points, flats, shoals and ledges, nearby shore, often staying in close proximity to their spawning locations. Main lake drop offs are producing nice fish.

SUMMER. Water temperatures rise notably in Summer, and walleye fishing is good if you can get your bait deep enough. Early in Summer, walleye tend to concentrate in 8 to 12 feet of water. Throughout Summer, early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye. At those times they move slightly shallower to feed in low-light conditions. Night fishing is often good in Summer, as well. The rest of the time they are cruising flats and creek channel edges, 10 to 20 feet deep , preferring the cooler temperatures. When the bite is slow, grubs and nightcrawlers, fished just off the bottom typically catch walleye.

FALL. Fall brings cooler temperatures to shallow water, drawing walleye and baitfish into coves and bays. Walleye continue to be a major draw for anglers, even as the weather cools. Locals report catching nice walleye on long points, flats along the river and creek channels, and structure off shore. Jigs, swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all historically good for catching walleye this time of year. Early and late in the day finds them in 6 to 10 feet of water, mid day they hold 8 to 12 feet deep. Dragging jigs, bottom bouncers, or worm harnesses with nightcrawlers or leeches, around ledge drop-offs is catching walleye fairly consistently. Watch for the bigger walleye to be slightly deeper than the majority of the school.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

WINTER. The cold of winter drives perch deeper again in search of food and stable water conditions. Mid-depth flats are ideal Winter holding spots. Currently, perch are being caught when they are feeding in weedy areas, in 12 to 15 of water. Later in Winter, as the lake freezes over they descend as deep as 18 feet. Based on prior years, Ice fishing for yellow perch should be quite good soon. Plenty of yellow perch were caught last winter through the ice, and there's no reason to expect any different this year. Popular baits include small spoons, minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers.

SPRING. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Anglers are beginning to catch them in 3 to 8 feet of water using spinners, small spinnerbaits, underspins, minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Docks, weed lines, drop offs all attract yellow perch searching for a meal. Later in Spring, they drop into 8 to 12 feet of water. Coves in the northeast sector of the lake have historically delivered great stringers of perch.

SUMMER. Fat yellow perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 8 to 18 feet of water. In early Summer, plus the first and last hours of the day, seek them out in feeding zones, 8 to 12 feet deep. Drop-offs, standing timber, lay-down trees, shallow weed lines, and in areas with submerged vegetation, are key feeding spots.

FALL. Early Fall finds yellow perch feeding in 6 to 12 feet of water. Later in the season, they begin to migrate deeper, toward Winter holding areas. Later in the Fall, they begin migrating toward Winter holding areas, often in the deeper sections, around the edges of weedbeds, drop offs along flats, channel edges, rock piles and humps. Minnows, spinners, spoons and small crankbaits are ideal this time of year.

Current Report: Fair To Good

WINTER. The current water temperature is in the mid 30's. Now that the shallows have turned cold, crappie have migrated to deeper holding areas, mostly off shore. Currently, they are being caught using a very slow presentation, in 10 to 18 feet of water. Most are caught around creek channel bends, submerged timber, deep brush piles, and main-lake structure. Good reports are coming from weeds and brush piles, in the main western basin. When they suspend in open water, they often relate to some cover, or structure change, directly below them. During warming trends, especially warm afternoons, they are drawn into 10 to 14 feet of water to feed. Light tackle, with 4 lb to 8 lb line, is a popular choice.

SPRING. In early Spring, walleye begin staging in 6 to 12 feet of water, just outside spawning bays, around points, creek mouths and the leading edges of flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as both black crappie and white crappie have moved shallow to spawn. At that time, they are typically caught in 2 to 6 feet of water. Vegetation, docks, brush and wood are where most anglers catch crappie using small crappie jigs or live minnows. After the spawn, crappie typically move outside the spawning area and hold on cover close by, in slightly deeper water. Once they move deep, anglers report success using fish finders and forward facing sonar to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover.

SUMMER. Water temperatures get quite warm, and crappie fishing is usually pretty good. They feed in 6 to 10 feet of water early and late in the day, until the hot Summer sun causes them to retreat to depths of 12 to 18 feet. Also, a few have embedded in the shade of slightly shallower vegetation. This is a good time to focus around brush piles and along drop offs. Anglers are also locating schools of crappie hanging over deep structure and around creek channel edges, using fish-finder electronics.

FALL. As Fall begins warming the shallows, baitfish, move into shallow flats, coves and bays, which draws crappie into these areas. They will be feeding heavily in preparation for the cold Winter, in 6 to 12 feet of water. Minnows, hair jigs, and crappie jigs, are good options during this feeding marathon. Late Fall which turns the shallows cold, starts pushing crappie deeper, toward winter holding areas. Small flutter spoons, fished in 10 to 14 feet of water, are a good option during this transition. Good results typically come around points, creek channels, and brush piles.